Pros & cons of ADHD medications: Unlock a better life #adhdmedication | Pharmacogenomics (PGx)

Do you know the pros and cons of choosing ADHD medications? In this video, we'll explore the benefits and drawbacks of these treatments, so you can decide which one is best for you. There are a variety of ADHD medications on the market today, so it can be difficult to decide which one is right for you. In this video, we'll discuss the pros and cons of each medication and help you choose the one that is best for you.

** Chapters in this video:
00:00 Intro
01:04 Best way to treat ADHD
01:33 Two classes of ADHD medications
01:52 Three non-stimulant ADHD medication options
02:34 How do alpha 2 agonist help with ADHD?
02:44 What is the sympathetic nervous system?
03:54 How do NDRI's help with ADHD?
04:50 Downsides of stimulant ADHD medications
05:43 How do I pick an ADHD treatment?
06:19 Side effects of stimulant ADHD medications
09:05 How long does it take stimulant ADHD medications to work?
09:46 What is a long acting stimulant ADHD medication?
11:02 Downsides of short acting ADHD medications
11:49 What is a "drug holiday"?
13:34 Pharmacogenomics (PGx) and ADHD medications

#maskingautism #pharmacogenomics #pgx #rethinkadhd #precisionmedicine #ADHDandproductivityhacks #ADHDandfocustechniques #ADHDawarenessandeducation #ADHDresourcesandtools #ADHDcoachingandtherapy #ADHDandtimemanagement #UnderstandingADHDmedication #ADHDsupportgroups #CopingwithADHD #ADHDandorganization #ParentingachildwithADHD #ADHDnaturalremedies #psychiatrist #ManagingADHDsymptoms #ADHDstrategiesforstudents #ADHDtipsforadults #blackdoctor

[johnmoore]

Must be nice to have a doctor willing to try what you actually want to try. I’ve been getting treated for 10 months now and he will seemingly try anything but a stimulant. It’s incredibly frustrating because I’ve tried Vyvanse (thanks to a friend) and it was like this overwhelming sense of calm that’d I’d never experienced before, which is a clear sign I do actually have ADHD. A normal person doesn’t take a stimulant and feel calm.

[Promentalist]

Just got diagnosed yesterday. This is all very new to me. This was such a helpful video for a complete newbie. Thank you for explaining the options the way you have.

[jasontarshis]

I appreciate your insights. I never get a clear answer from the medical community on whether or not it's beneficial to take a "drug holiday" from stimulant medications. I was told that it was originally encouraged for children on stimulants as they thought it may have affected growth, now that theory is no longer believed. I notice if I do miss a day of Vyvanse that I definitely feel "not as in control" but if I knew it would be beneficial for not building up drug tolerance as well as I think it helps one with ADHD remember how well medication can work when off it I would definitely take a short drug holiday. So many different answers on this. Thanks again for sharing your actual experiences. It's very helpful.

[elizabethwilliams]

This was great information! Thank you! Do you have suggestions for how to better support my 2nd grader who was recently diagnosed with ADHD? It looks like your content is geared towards adults, and I’m looking for information on how I can better help my son. Thank you.

[Alixsunnysideup]

(I don’t have adhd) this video was super informative and helpful in understanding more about adhd, about medications and really how to be empowered when you’re in such a vulnerable space as medical appts, you’re able to advocate for yourself and also not waste time and money in a direction that may not even be right for you. Like the part about medication and how it works, I finally understand what other doctors have probably tried telling me but I just didn’t get it 😅. Immediate Sub!!!

[lovelylindsey]

This was very informative, thank you. I recently went back to therapy for anxiety/depression, but my psych has been really encouraging me to get evaluated for ADHD. My couples counselor who has been working with me & my partner for over a year has also nudged me for months to consider getting assessed for it, and also pointed out themes of BPD. So now that I know the importance of addressing the global picture I will bring that up during the eval (my appointment is next week!). I’ve been super resistant to the idea of meds my whole life but at this point, I’ll do anything. I just want to live functionally for once. Your video helped me feel more comfortable about meds as a potential treatment option.

[IshtarNike]

Sexual side effects are also common and perhaps especially significant for men.

When I was on Straterra I had orgasm ejaculation asynchrony. That meant I'd ejaculate 10-15 seconds before orgasm which was weird and confusing. It also decreased my sexual longevity. I wasn't premature but definitely quicker than usual.

I'm now on dexamphetamine at the maximum dose here in the UK. It's helping to treat my ADHD but it's worse than Straterra for sexual side effects because I basically can't get it up for about 12 hours a day. I think it's also lowered my sex drive in general. It's affecting my relationship because my wife and I both work and neither of us is up for having sex really really early or really really late in the day. I take the meds every day to do both work work and housework. It's been difficult.

[MochaRose]

Stimulants help me so much in terms of focus and productivity but increases my anxiety (more ruminating thoughts) and the comedown makes me feel very uncomfortable and unsafe. I’m very sensitive to stimulants (even coffee) but the only way to be a functioning adult is for me to take these it seems. I’ve tried some nootropics and nothing compares to be honest. I just hate the side effects.


One of my biggest adhd issues is getting out of bed no matter how much sleep I get. Jornay PM (a newer stimulant that you take at night) helps so much but I don’t feel quite right on it. I’m just rambling right now. Frustrated.

[RG_Eph]

I am having such a hard time with my medication☹️ I have tried almost all of them over the past few years (stretera, Ritalin, adderall, Vyvanse). I had severe anxiety with all the ones I’ve tried in the past. I’m also on high dose Wellbutrin for depression but it’s just not enough. The one I’m currently on, Foquest, is much better but still very anxiety inducing. It’s hard because I have to decide whether I want to be anxious&productive or calmer&unproductive everyday depending on the amount I take. Even on the lowest dose, 20 mg, and it still affects me. I normally pour out some of the beads (approved to do by my doctor) the days I need the tiniest boost without anxiety but of course it’s not as effective. I already have bad anxiety so it’s just compounded with the medication. I am useless without it though. Very frustrating but I feel like I’ve run out of options.

I feel like my doctor thinks we’re out of options (but isn’t really saying it). You seem so knowledgeable and understanding…it would be incredible to be your patient.

[MrAwkwarDmusic]

You said anxiety is bc of a higher dose, but I took 20 mg of Ritalin LA and the first week I was super calm and enthusiastic but on the third week I start feeling anxious and I can't even think clearly

[torritaite]

I've been taking Sertraline and it was ok for keeping me somewhat stable. But as far as my mood and my anything as far as my cognitive health and all? Not much at all.

[grendelsmama]

I want to be a person that doesn’t take medication. But I need it, I struggle with accepting that so I’ve been on and off medications for years… I’m a fool lol!

[NeurospicyKat]

I'm on dex and it's the only thing that's worked on my anxiety. It stops me from thought spiralling. I've just gone through a rough mental health period, and the only way I could sleep was with a dex in my system. It calmed my brain enough to allow sleep.

These are important pros for some people that you've not included.

[jimcampbell]

The best thing people can do for themselves is get plenty of sunshine, exercise and have a good diet! Drugs are about making money for those who provide them!

[SisiphoAmelieLeeZinja]

The medication is the scary part of acceptance 😫

[sesybabe]

Thank you so much for this information! honestly more informative then my appointments w my psychiatrist, Would you be able to do a video on natural ways to treat adhd if you are familiar with those? I recently started taking vyvanese and it has been messing with my menstrual cycle and I am still deciding if this is a non negotiable for me but I am curious if there are some type of “natural meds” on top of therapy, exercise, omega 3s etc if I choose to stop stimulants